The Gods of the Greek Pantheon

One of the most significant themes in Homer's Iliad is that of the role of the gods in the lives of mortals. The Greek pantheon features numerous gods who preside over specific aspects of nature or serve specific functions in the complex relationships among humans. The gods reside at Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the gods where Zeus presides.

In the Iliad, as in most other examples of Greek epic and drama, the gods seldom interfere in the lives of mortals--unless called upon to do so. The modus operandi for most gods is not typically beneficence or protection of mortals; rather, most are fairly self-serving, performing roles similar to that of the trickster, in which they exhibit the heights of human folly. When Thetis appeals to Zeus to intervene in the war between the Greeks and Trojans, she asks him to allow Troy the upper hand so that the Greeks will recognize the value of Achilles. Zeus reluctantly agrees, fearful of the grief he will endure from Hera. An argument ensues between these divine royals: Hera accuses Zeus of interfering with mortals; later, their son, Hephaestus begs his mother not to ire Zeus, because his temperament will spoil the festivities of the gods. The scenario emerges as an ironic contrast to the real-life war taking place among mortals, and the internal conflicts that occur between players Achilles and Agamemnon. 

Greek myth and the corresponding gods that populate them have endured and pervaded western literature and culture. Later, as the Romans adopted the pantheon, gods were renamed with latinate titles, and their dominions modified and expanded. The greco-roman pantheons continue to inspire and influence all facets of western culture in music, literature, art, and advertising. 

Hera: Wife and sister to Zeus; goddess of women and marriage. Roman counterpart: Juno

Zeus: "Father of the gods and men"; god of the sky and thunder; Roman counterpart: Jupiter

Apollo: Son of Zeus and Leto; Alternately the god of illness and good health; twin brother to Artemis; "light and sun, healing and plague, music and poetry" are associated with Apollo. 

Aphrodite: Goddess of love and beauty; associated with Hephaestus and Adonis; awarded Paris the gift of Helen, wife of Menelaus. Roman counterpart: Venus.

Artemis: Goddess of the hunt, chastity, the wilderness. Daughter of Zeus and Leto; Twin sister to Apollo. Roman counterpart: Diana.

Athena: Patroness of Athens; Daughter of Zeus and Metis; Roman counterpart: Minerva.

Hephaestus: Son of Zeus and Hera; God of blacksmiths, artisans, craftsmen. Roman counterpart: Vulcan.